As policymakers rushed to equip cops with body cams, they often failed to grapple with a fundamental question: Who controls the footage? They defaulted to leaving police with the power to decide what is recorded, who can see it and when. By @ericumansky.bsky.social, w/ @farooqumar.bsky.social - ThreadSky

propublica.org • 91 days ago

As policymakers rushed to equip cops with body cams, they often failed to grapple with a fundamental question: Who controls the footage?

They defaulted to leaving police with the power to decide what is recorded, who can see it and when.

By @ericumansky.bsky.social, w/ @farooqumar.bsky.social

Comments

virginiademocrat.bsky.social•91 days ago

Body cams should be required of governmental officials who will round up undocumented citizens

laneus.bsky.social•91 days ago

While we're at it, can we have our senators all be confined to a big brother style compound where the American people can monitor their every move and communication? In a just society, every ounce of power should cost a pound of privacy.

honikins.bsky.social•91 days ago

I think maybe I could watch the cams. Report what is wrong. It would give this disabled person a job. I can lay in bed and watch like I do anyways. I could do a verbal report. My speech is mangled and I cant type worth shit. I'd need an upgrade in internet.

michelethistle.bsky.social•91 days ago

Well, that just astonishes me. The police? Guardians of law and order? The protectors and servers? Not being perfectly open, Law abiding, and transparent? Hmmmm…

bradprose.bsky.social•91 days ago

It's backwards, instead of giving police immunity they should be held to a higher standard. Impossible to respect the law enforcement when they have no honor.

jenmi.bsky.social•91 days ago

Let’s fix this…

nduggar.bsky.social•91 days ago

I think all footage should be downloaded to a publicly accessible site at the end of every shift.

globallyoptimistic.bsky.social•91 days ago

In the rush to arm police with body cams, we've handed them the remote as well. Transparency becomes illusory when those under scrutiny control the lens and the play button. Can we trust the narrator when they also direct the show?

karlykingsley.bsky.social•91 days ago

Fair point

gulfcoastgrit.bsky.social•91 days ago

For those looking for an even deeper dive into this topic, Alec Karakatsanis has a very comprehensive write-up around this very topic.

lupusblackfur.bsky.social•91 days ago

"failed to grapple with"...

Or was it more like "we'll do these cameras for show for the public's benefit and our PR but the cops still have all the control to police themselves"...

Hmm...

cephrad.bsky.social•91 days ago

corruption needs to be called out

sksahin.bsky.social•91 days ago

unawarewolf.bsky.social•91 days ago

You have to be a special kind of stupid to believe the cops would behave honarbly and ethically. Of course, those policymakers didn't believe they would either. More political theater.

alexsch23460780.bsky.social•91 days ago

Thank you. It’s very, very obvious too, so I’m glad you actually investigated and proved that we need to ensure it’s being used ALWAYS and there is retribution if not. There is no other way.

timnyc2.bsky.social•46 days ago

No excuses they should set the standards for this invaluable equipment... No excuses

timnyc2.bsky.social•91 days ago

As a former NYPD officer this is a unfortunate mistake that public makes, thinking all Police are bad and want to cover there work.. where else is someone watching your decision making process live. And Monday morning making judgement on there life and death decisions. Thanks

bradprose.bsky.social•91 days ago

Every job, welcome to the real world. Name another job when a employee fucks up so bad and breaks the law they get a mulligan and immunity? Pizza delivery people have more dangerous jobs, enough of the drama nobody made you become a cop.

ty1022.bsky.social•90 days ago

Exactly 👏🏾

timnyc2.bsky.social•46 days ago

Brad do a ride along with your local PD. You can . Then get back to me. Brad with the big brain

timnyc2.bsky.social•46 days ago

Give it up BRAD... your not delivering pizza. It's your life on the line. And you're partners life.

timnyc2.bsky.social•79 days ago

Get a life Brad

timnyc2.bsky.social•89 days ago

President

timnyc2.bsky.social•90 days ago

President of the US

the-dudemeister.bsky.social•91 days ago

Who writes the report?

petergibbons.bsky.social•91 days ago

Check out "The Civil Rights Lawyer" on youtube. He brings this up all the time. I wish he was on here.

thestampedehero.bsky.social•91 days ago

I like your logic. You are spot on🎯😎👍🏼

ejanearan.bsky.social•91 days ago

This will not end well.

dinnerladyarms.bsky.social•91 days ago

Quis custodiet ipsos custodes

dodgersmom.bsky.social•90 days ago

Conveniently "forgeting" to turn on the cameras has probably done more to cover up police brutality than we will ever know.

yellowgreenblue.bsky.social•91 days ago

📌

lcla2024.bsky.social•91 days ago

You’re paid by the taxpayers therefore it’s public.

texaschick64.bsky.social•90 days ago

Yeah, that’s like leaving a child in charge of a candy store. When ppl are in trouble, for most, it’s human nature to lie about the facts. The footage should have been controlled by a neutral body. This isn’t rocket science but somehow everything gets dumbed down in America

tracyfarmer.bsky.social•91 days ago

Just wait. Think the new America under than idiot Trump gets better police forces or worse?

radicaltruth.bsky.social•91 days ago

They refuse to hand over the footage and only give what fits their narrative. How is that reform? They also control 911 calls and refuse to hand that over to if they don't want. They control the entire system along with the prosecutors, and judges to a lesser extent.

justafrenchcat.bsky.social•91 days ago

Yep. Moreover, any discussion of policing ought to start with this : on top of everything, they have no legal obligation to protect you. Here's a story from @amandamarcotte.bsky.social about it. I'm sure there are others as well.
https://www.salon.com/2022/05/27/uvalde-timeline-exposes-an-ugly-truth-the-police-have-no-legal-duty-to-protect-you/

emmasgigi.bsky.social•90 days ago

Not a good plan.

wreckingball4good.bsky.social•91 days ago

I used to be the IT person in charge of the server the footage was uploaded to in a county in Northeastern WA. I have never been more harassed by cops both on and off the clock than when I was in a position to hold them accountable. Also, the problem with bodycams is they point the wrong way.

ty1022.bsky.social•90 days ago

Wow, I can't imagine the harassment you went through. I'm sorry you went through that.

wreckingball4good.bsky.social•90 days ago

Thanks 🫶 Cops are gross, but I have lost all my fear. I have STORIES. I am (very) slowly writing a book.

ty1022.bsky.social•90 days ago

I will definitely read that book. I'm glad you came out of it without being physically harmed.

wreckingball4good.bsky.social•90 days ago

Oh I was, lol. I couldn't walk for 3 months after an injury from police after protesting police violence. Police also caused my best friend to miscarry her baby when they tackled her (we were teens). Plus two cops that I worked with lied and testified against me to have my dog euthanized. I won.

ty1022.bsky.social•90 days ago

Oh, no. I don't know why I'm surprised. I'm glad you won. Is your friend okay?

juniper92254244.bsky.social•91 days ago

I haven’t practiced criminal law for a while but my recollection about body cam footage is that there is always more than you think there is.

dave-mann.bsky.social•91 days ago

The have On/Off switches, too. The sure like turning them off.

sinycalbytch.bsky.social•91 days ago

📌

Comments

Posting Rules

Reply